Govt open to public-private partnerships, says Katumba Wamala

Katumba Wamala during his presentation. Photos by Wilson Manishimwe

INVESTMENT|INFRASTRUCTURE

The minister of state for works Gen. Katumba Wamala has said the Government is open to different means of financing for the increasing number of infrastructure projects.

Katumba said there is need to streamline the legal and regulatory framework to unlock the country's Public-Private Partnership (PPP) potential and asked relevant stakeholders to improve their knowledge of PPP financing.

"The constrained performance of Uganda's domestic revenue mobilisation, coupled with limited external funding over the years means that the economy should be open to as many financing options as possible," he said.

The technocrats listening to Katumba Wamala at Serena Kampala Hotel

Katumba was speaking during the second roundtable discussion series on Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) for infrastructure and project development at Serena Kampala Hotel on Thursday. The discussion organised by Standard Chartered Bank attracted various experts from the Government and private sector to discuss infrastructural projects such as roads and electricity.

"The Government, for example could encourage PPP through a number of activities including, but not limited to ensuring conducive environment for investment, strengthening tax incentives as well as mitigating interest rates fluctuations," he said. 

Beatrice Ikilai, the acting director of PPP in the finance ministry pointed out development of the National Theatre and Uganda National Sports Centre as some of the upcoming projects that are to be executed under PPP.